After
more than 25 years at Scott County School District 2, Chuck Rose was
ready to retire at the end of the school year. He was eligible for full
retirement and recently turned 60 years old. But, his life took another
direction when he was recently named Director of Elementary Education
for the school district, starting for the next school year.

“You
get some surprises in life at the age of 60,” the Lexington Elementary
School principal said. “Instead of moving to the front porch, I’m moving
to the central office.”

For the last 16 years, Rose has been at
the helm of LES, directing the school through staffing changes and state
mandates. Despite all of the adjustments, Rose will move forward on a
high note: Lexington Elementary School was nominated by the Indiana
State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the U.S. Department of
Education Blue Ribbon Award.

LES is one of eight schools in the
state selected by Glenda Ritz for the award; if awarded, LES will be one
of a handful of public schools south of Bloomington to receive the
distinction in the 34-year history of the Blue Ribbon Award.

“That’s kind of the icing on the cake,” Rose said. “That honor goes to the staff.”

The
U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award is not a competitive
award — it is based on merit — so all eight schools chosen by the state
could potentially receive the award. The National Blue Ribbon Award is
given to schools who demonstrate overall academic excellence or
demonstrate progress in closing achievement gaps among student
subgroups. The national award shows how the school strives to help all
students reach the top.

“It’s been rewarding to see our test
scores continue to improve,” Rose said. “We’ve done some good things at
the elementary. We have a lot to be proud of in District 2.”

In
September, LES will be notified if the school receives the national
award. The principal and one teacher will travel to Washington, D.C., to
accept the award.

“It was a great school when I got here,” Rose said about LES. “It’s going to be a great school when I leave.”

After
Rose leaves LES at the end of the school year, he will move to the
central office in his new role as Director of Elementary Education for
the school district. As the director, Rose will coordinate with the
elementary schools; will work on Title I, curriculum, and staffing; and
will become the district attendance officer and the hearing officer.
Rose’s work experience will also help guide some of the new principals
at LES and JES, who will be starting next school year.

“You spend your first few years on how you want your school to look,” Rose said about being a principal.

Rose
remembers back when he was first hired as an administrator — he started
as the assistant principal of Scottsburg Middle School, which at the
time was the William H. English Middle School. That year Rose was hired
at SMS, Kristin Nass was hired as principal.

“We learned a lot that year together,” Rose said about his time at SMS with Nass.

When the principal position at LES opened, Rose applied.

“I wanted to lead a school. It’s been very challenging and very rewarding,” Rose said. “I don’t regret it one bit.”

Along
with his new position at Scott 2, Rose will continue to serve the
Scottsburg City Council. He has been a city council member for 18 years,
winning the election in November 2015.

“I like being involved in things that will benefit our city,” Rose said.

Rose
has worked on projects for the city, such as Mid-America Science Park.
MASP is a science park that includes a business incubation and
acceleration center, training and workforce development center, and
worldwide communications and conference center. Students at Scottsburg
High School use the center for workforce training, where students learn
manufacturing and advanced manufacturing skills.

“I’m a big believer in education,” Rose said. “I hope to see more of that. I want to move jobs back in the area.”

Because
of his passion for education, Rose also helped start the Good Faith
Preschool in Lexington. The preschool provides free early education for
Lexington residents; the 4-year-olds enrolled in the preschool attend
two days each week in order to prepare for kindergarten. The preschool
is funded through community grants and uses volunteer help.

“[This community] sees a need and pitches in to help,” Rose said.

Rose’s
leadership and vision helped shape Lexington Elementary School into
what the school is today. His leadership and vision will continue to
shape the district when he starts his position as Director of Elementary
Education. At Scott County School District 2, Rose’s story is our
story. Your story matters. You matter.